Modular furniture



June 6, 1961 H. A. SIMPSON, JR 2,987,356

' MODULAR FURNITURE Filed Jan. 24, 1958 7 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 W 67 INVENTORflar/yfl ja'm as'ozz .Ji}

TTORNEY5 June 6, 1961 H. A. SIMPSON, JR

MODULAR FURNITURE 5 Sheets$heet 2 Filed Jan. 24, 1958 I N VEN TORfiafly/Z 6222 5022,

Junie 6, 1961 H. A. SIMPSON, JR 2,987,356

MODULAR FURNITURE Filed Jan. 24, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E a /i/ 9 w A? IHHIIH ll. g

ATTORNEYS June 6, 1961 H. A. SIMPSON, JR

MODULAR FURNITURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 24, 1958 BY fi. 4. 2...

ATTORNEYS June 6, 1961 H. A. SIMPSON, JR

MODULAR FURNITURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 24, 1958 United StatesPatent O 2,987,356 MODULAR F Harry A. Simpson, Jr., Portsmouth, Va.,assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretaryof the Navy Filed Jan. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 711,109

5 Claims. (Cl. 312-111) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see.266) Theinvention described herein may be manufactured and used by orfor the Government of the United States of America for governmentalpurposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to furniture and particularly to furniture foruse aboard naval ships and the like. More particularly, this inventionrelates to ready-made modular, as contrasted with custom built,furniture for use aboard naval ships.

As is well known, furniture space aboard a naval ves sel is generally ata premium, particularly on a ship conversion job, with a result thatheretofore there has had to be a compromise between available space,utility and comfort. This in turn has resulted in custom-builtfurniture, or where ready-made furniture has been used, a largeinventory of various shapes and sizes has had to be stocked.

An object of this invention is to provide ships furniture incorporatingnovel features that overcome inherent disadvantages in existing shipsfurniture.

A further object of this invention is to provide readymade sectionalfurniture for use aboard naval ships.

A further object of the invention is to provide sectional furniturewherein the various sections are so constructed as to be readilyassembled into a unitary structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide modular furniturewherein the various sections are so dimensioned as to fall within acommon denominator.

A further object of the invention is to provide sectional furniturewherein various different sections are readily interchangeable to fitexisting conditions.

A further object of this invention is to provide sectional furniturewherein each of the various sections incorporates common fasteningmechanism for interchangeability of the various sections.

A further object of this invention is to provide a secretary bureauincorporating a novel drop leaf which serves as a writing surface.

Briefly, in accordance with this invention there is provided varioussections of furniture including a full length wardrobe, a half lengthwardrobe, a file section, a utility locker, a secretary bureau, a chestof drawers, a common top and a common base or foundation; each sodimensioned as to fit within a common denominator or multiple thereof,and each provided with common interlocking means for interchangeablyassembling the various sections into a unitary structure.

Advantages of the sectionalized construction is the fact that variouscombinations can be effected with a minimum of parts and a minimum ofeffort. For instance, a file section may be very desirable for anengineering or an administrative oflicer, while an oflicer in anothercapacity might prefer a drawer section. A substitution can easily bemade since each section is a separate and interchangeable unit. Besidesmaking various combinations to suit oflicers in a particular category,the unit can easily be made to either hand simply by stacking to suit.

If a ships appurtenance, such as a fire control valve, were located onthe bulkhead against which the furniture assembly was to be installed,one of the utility lockers for example, could be omitted and theassembly arranged in a manner that would afford access to the valve.

On a ship conversion job light bulkheads between staterooms could beeliminated and units set back-to-back, thereby forming a division ofstaterooms, as well as providing stowage space.

In an existing stateroom Where there is less than the required linealfootage of bulkhead, the assembly can be divided into two or moresubassemblies to fit available space.

The full length wardrobe is intended for stowage of long coats and isprovided with a shelf for cap stowage in the top section. It is quiteobvious that offieers uniforms stowed in a full length wardrobe createsa loss of valuable space at the bottom of such wardrobe. From thisobservation came the idea of a shorter or half Wardrobe which afford amore compact stowage space for uniforms. Each of the wardrobe sectionsis provided with a unique clothes compressor for securing the closing inrough seas.

For a two-ofiicer stateroom, the secretary bureau section is equippedwith two safes for confidential papers, wallets, and personal effects.They are provided with a shelf for better arrangement. A drop leaf,which in open position serves as a writing surface, is located at deskheight above the deck.

The utility locker incorporated unique features. In addition to drawerstowage for small items such as underwear, handkerchiefs, socks, etc.,it is provided with an adjustable shelf for stowage of books.

Completed units have been installed on naval ships and seemed to meetfull requirements of personnel using the same. The unitary assembly hasa neat compact appearance since all hardware is flush and all hingesconcealed, affording unbroken surfaces. The entire assembly is mountedon a stainless steel sub-base with an ample toe space at the front. Theparts used for a single ofiicer stateroom are identically constructedbut differently arranged from the illustrated two-officer stateroom.

The invention, together with the above and other objects and advantagesthereof, is set forth in more technical detail in the followingdescription and accompanying drawings in which like reference charactersdesignate like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a unitary furniture assembly for atwo-ofiicer stateroom in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a drawer locking mechanism, takenon line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section and side elevational view of a full lengthwardrobe, taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section and front elevational view of the wardrobe,taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper left handcorner of the wardrobe shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in verticalsection, of a utility locker shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section of a locker shown in FIG. 9, and taken online 1414 thereof;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 10;

FIG. 12, is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 1616 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in section, of asecretary bureau shown in FIG. 1;

e 7 3 FIG. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line 21--21 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on line 2222of FIG. 13; and g 7 FIG. 16 is an enlarged horizontal section taken online 23-23 of FIG. 15.

Referring now to the drawings, first to FIG. 1, wherein, for purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown an assembly of furniture fora two-officer stateroom, and which furniture comprises a full lengthwardrobe 30, a half length wardrobe 70, a file section 80, a pair ofutility lockers 90, a two-oflicer secretary bureau 130, a pair of chestsof drawers 170, a unitary top 190 and a unitary base or foundation. 200.The various sections are interlocked, as described hereinafter, tocomprise a unitary assembly, supported on the deck 210 of the stateroom.

As disclosed hereinbefore, an advantage of the sectionalizedconstruction of this invention is the fact that various combinations offurniture can be effected. For example, a file section 80 may be verydesirable for an engineering or an administrative officer, while anofiicer in another capacity might prefer an additional drawer section170 or an additional utility locker 90, or vice versa. Substitutions caneasily be made since each section is a separate and interchangeableunit. A one-oflicer, usually a senior oflicer, stateroom may befashioned by omitting, for example, the half length wardrobe 70 and thefile section 80, or by interchanging these sections with other sections,or by any suitable rearrangement to meet the needs and desires of suchoflicer. Besides making various combinations to suit oflicers in aparticular category, the unit assembly can easily be made to either handsimply by stacking to suit. For interchangeability, the various sectionsare so dimensioned, as to height, Width and depth, as to fall within acommon denominator, or multiples thereof. The various sections arefabricated from sheet metal of suitable thickness, flanged andreinforced as necessary, as described in detail hereinafter for theindividual sections, subassemblies and accessories.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, the full length wardrobe 30 compries a'pairof side walls 31, a rear wall 32, a pair of doors 33, a top 34"and abottom 35. The front portion of each of the side walls 31 is flangedinwardly, as at 31a (FIG. 6) to provide a door jamb. An angle member 36,bent in the manner shown in FIG. 6, fits into the flange 31 and is spotor seam welded thereto and to the side walls. The angle member 36 formsa rectangular frame that reinforces the front of the wardrobe and formsa amb for the doors. flange portion 32a that fits into the'rear of theside walls and is spot or seam welded thereto. The doors. 33, which arehinged to the door jamb by suitable, invisible hinges, not shown, areflanged inwardly, as at 33a, FIG. 4, on the four edges thereof forreinforcement and for snug fit within the door jamb. The right handdoor, as viewed in FIG. 1, overlaps the left door and is provided with ahandle 3311 that operates a pair of rods 330 for securing the doors inclosed position. The side and rear walls of the wardrobe are :flangedinwardly at the top and bottom thereof (FIG. as at 31b and 3212,respectively, to receive the top and bottom members 34 and 35. a V

The top 34 of the wardrobe is flanged downwardly and outwardly at thefour sides thereof, as at 34a, FIG. 8, and the outward flange of the topis fitted beneath the inward flange, of side, front and rear walls. andis ,spot or seam welded thereto. At the back near each side thereof, thetop 34 is; provided with a pair of fixed detents 40, FIG. 5, whichdetents are for securing the outer a side thereof, the top 34 isprovided'witli a pair of movable detents 42. .As shown'in FIGS. 7 and 8,each of the detents 42 comprises a stirrup or U-shaped guide 43 hav- Therear'wall 32 has a ing horizontal flanges 43a thereof welded to theunder surface of the top or closure member 34. A slidahle detent 44,having a front return bend portion 44a and right angle or drive portion44b is guided and supported by the stirrup. The arrangement,- asdescribed in more detail hereinafter, is such that with the outer topmember 19% positioned on top of the assembly (FIG. 1) the movabledetents 42 are driven home, each to a position similar to that of FIG.7, whereupon the return bend portion 44a of the detents secures orclamps the outer top member 1913 of the assembly to the top of the.wardrobe. Each of the various sections that make up the assembly of FIG.1 is provided with similar fixed and movable detents for securing theouter top member 190 to the various upper sections of the assembly andthereby secure the assembly into a unitary structure.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom securing means of the full lengthwardrobe 30 is generally similar to the top securing means. Here, theinside bottom comprises a rectangular sheet, flanged downward and inwardwith the downward flange snugly fitted into the bottom of the verticalwalls of the wardrobe and welded thereto. Beneath the inner bottom 35 isan outer bottom or base member 46. Base member 46, as shown in FIG. 5,comprises a flat top 46a, a first downward flange 46b, an outward flange460, a second downward flange 46d, flush with the outer walls of thewardrobe, and an inner flange 46e, which inner flange rests upon asimilar inner flange 200s of the foundation of sub-base member 200 ofthe unitary assembly. The foundation member is secured to the deck 210of the ship in suitable manner, not shown, and is set back at the frontof the assembly to provide a toe space and access openings 210a, asshown at the lower left hand corner of FIG. 4. A pair of fixed detents47 is attached to the under surface of bottom member 46 at the rearcorners thereof (FIGS. 4 and S). A pair of movable detents '48,'only oneof which is shown in FIG. 4, is attached to the front, under surface ofmember 46. The bottom detents 47 and 48 are generally similar to andperform similar functions as the top detents and 42, respectfully, andneed not be described in further detail. It should be noted, however, inaccordance with this invention, each of' the several sections of theassembly (FIG. 1) is provided with similar detents so that the sectionsare interchangeable, as described hereinbefore.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the full length wardrobe is fittedwith a shelf 50 in the upper portion thereof for stowage of ofiicerscaps or the like. Shelf 50 is formed of a flat sheet 50a having downwardflanges 50b at the four sides thereof and a front ledge 50c. Flangedmembers 52 are weldedto the side and; rear walls of the wardrobe, withthe upper portions. of such members spaced from such walls for snuglyreceiving the side and rear flanges 50b of the shelf.

A clothes hanger bar 54 is mounted beneath the shelf by a pair ofbracketsSS, which brackets are mounted on opposite side walls ofthewardrobe, and movably mounted on the hanger bar is a clothes compressorassembly 56. Clothes compressor assembly '56 comprises a clot-hescompressor bar slidably mounted on hanger bar 54 and having a detent 68aoperatedby a handle'68b for adjustably latching it thereto: An invertedT-bar 66 is attached to the clothes compressor for holding clothes inplace against one side wall 31 of the wardrobe.

The half'length wardrobe 70 (FIG. 1) is substantially identical, exceptfor height and omission of the cap shelf, with the full length .wardrobe30, and need not be described in detail. It is suflicient to state'that'the detents at the top andbottom for connection to'other sectionsof the assembly andthe clothes compressor of the half length wardrobeare the same as like members described in detail hereinbefore' for thefull length wardrobe.

Referring again to FIG. 1; thefile section 'comprises side and rearwalls, top and bottom members and -a base,

all flanged, reinforced and provided with fixed and movable detents, thelatter for interchangeability, in the same manner as described in detailhereinbefore for the full length wardrobe 30. The file section includesa verticallyextending compartment located behind a door 82 and a pair offile drawers 84. The door is provided with a handle 83 that operates apair of rods 83a for securing the door in closed position. The drawers84 may each be conventional file drawers that need not be described indetail, except that the securing means for the file drawers is similarto that (FIG. 2) for the chest of drawers which will be described indetail hereafter. The file section comprises a unitary structure that isinterchangeable with other sections of the furniture assembly and may bevariously located within the assembly of stateroom furniture asdescribed hereinbefore.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, each of the pair of utility lockers 90(FIG. 1) comprises side and rear walls, top and bottom members and abase, all flanged, reinforced and provided with fixed and movabledetents (FIG. the latter for interchangeability, in the same manner asdescribed in detail hereinbefore for the full length wardrobe 30. Eachof the pair of utility lockers includes a book compartment 92, closed bya pair of doors 94 (FIG. 1), and beneath the book compartment is a pairof drawers 120. The right hand door overlaps the left hand door and isprovided with a handle 95 that operates a pair of rods 95a for securingthe doors in closed position. The doors are shown in open position inFIG. 9 and for clarity of illustration are omitted from FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the book compartment 92 includes a verticallyadjustable book shelf 96, which shelf comprises a fiat bottom 96a,upturned sides 96b and an upturned front or ledge 960. A movable ledge97 is pivotally mounted on ledge 96c by a pair of concealed hinges.

Continuing with the utility lockers, each of the drawers 120 (FIG. 9) ismounted on a pair of slides 122, only one of which is shown in FIG. 10,wherein the drawer is omitted for clarity of illustration, which slidesare mounted on opposite side walls of the drawer compartment 121. Thefront of the drawer compartment is formed with a flanged opening 121a,shaped to receive a mating portion, not shown, formed on the outer endof the drawer. The drawer may otherwise be of conventional construction,except that a latching mechanism indicated generally by referencenumeral 124 may be like that shown in FIG. 2 for the chests of drawers170 (FIG. 1), described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, first to FIG. 13, the two-oflicersecretary bureau 130 comprises side and rear walls, and top and bottommembers all flanged, reinforced and provided with fixed and movabledetents (FIG. the latter for interchangeability in the same manner asdescribed in detail hereinbefore for the full length wardrobe. Thesecretary bureau includes a pair of safes 132, a pair of full lengthvertical compartments 134, four half length vertical compartments 136, apair of drawers 138, a horizontal compartment 148, all behind a dropleaf door or closure member 142, which drop leaf is shown in openposition in FIGS. 1 and 13-16, and which drop leaf forms a writing orworking surface when in such open position, as described hereinafter.

Each of the safes is of conventional construction formed with a shelf143, an access door 144, hinged at 145, and provided with a combinationlock 146 and an operating handle 147. As shown in FIG. 14, each of thesafes is attached to the frame of the secretary by four internal screws148. The full length compartment 134, half length compartment 136,compartments for the drawers 138 and the horizontal compartment 140 areset back relative to the front of the secretary and are formed as anintegral subassembly fabricated as a unit for insertion into thesecretary, as shown in FIG. 15. This sub- 6 assembly comprises a topwall 150, a bottom wall 152, a rear Wall 154, two intermediatehorizontal plates 156 (FIG. 13), two intermediate vertical Walls 158 andthree vertical partitions 159, all welded into a unitary structure insuitable manner, not shown.

Referring to FIG. 15, the drop leaf door or closure member 142 isfashioned as a box-like structure formed of a top sheet 142a and abottom sheet 142b, each flanged as shown to form end and side walls,united into a unitary structure, as by spot welding. The top or workingsurface, in open position, of the drop leaf is covered with a Writingsurface 160, formed of sheet cork or like material. A piano-type hinge162, having opposite flanges 162a and 162b welded to the back of thedrop leaf and to the bottom front of the door jamb, respectively,pivotally mounts the drop leaf on the secretary. Downward movement ofthe drop leaf is limited to the horizontal position shown by a pair ofstops 164. In closed position, the drop leaf fits Within the door jamband is secured in this closed position by a suitable lock, not shown.

In FIG. 15, one each of a pair of front and back detents 166, and 167,respectively, is shown in detail. Each of the front or movable detents166 is of the same construction and operates in the same manner as themovable detents 42 of the full length wardrobe (FIGS. 4, 7 and 8), whichlatter detents have been described in detail hereinbefore and need notbe repeated here. The back or fixed detents 167 (FIG. 15) each comprisesa flanged reinforcing member 168 that is contoured to fit the flangedportion at the top-rear of the secretary casing and is: welded thereto,and a straight member 169 formed with: a return bend 169a for stiifnessis welded to reinforcingmember 168. The arrangement is such that thebottom; surface of the return bend 169a is fixedly spaced from the topflange of the rear wall of the secretary.

FIG. 15 is hereinbefore described as an enlarged ver-- tical sectiontaken on line 22-22 of FIG. 13. However, in addition to the secretarybureau structure of FIG. 13,. FIG. 15 includes, at the top thereof, thebottom portiom of one of the utility lockers (FIG. 10). This inclu-1sion of the bottom portion of the utility locker in FIG. 15 is forclarity in illustrating the manner of attaching one subassembly orsection of the furniture to another section; specifically of connectingthe bottom of the utility lockers 90 (FIG. 1) to the top of thesecretary bureau: 130. That is, referring first to FIG. 10, it is noted,the utility locker 90 has an inward flange 90a at the bottom.= thereof.Now then, assuming that the movable detent 166 is withdrawn to thebroken line position (FIG. 15),. the utility locker is elevated ortipped at the front in a manner that the back portion of flange 90a maybe fitted! under the return bend portion 169a of the fixed detent.. Theutility locker is now moved forward relative to the; secretary bureauand until the flange at the bottom front of the locker clears the flangeat the top front of the secretary so that now the front end of thelocker may" be lowered relative to the secretary and the movable detent166 driven home to the full line position shown: in FIG. 15, whichclamps the bottom of the locker to the top of the secretary. Thesecretary bureau is provided with a pair of openings in the interior topthereof, which openings afford access to the movable detents. As statedhereinbefore, each of the sections or subassemblies (FIG.. 1) of thestateroom furniture is provided with movable; and fixed detents, flangedportions and access openings. for assembling the various sections in themanner and; for the purpose desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, each of the pair of? chests ofdrawers 170 comprises side and rear walls, top" and bottom members and abase, all flanged, reinforced and provided with fixed and movabledetents, the latter' for interchangeability in the same manner asdescribedin detail hereinbefore for the full length wardrobe and for thesecretary bureau. Each of the pair of chests of z drawers comprises fourdrawers 172 each of which is.

mounted'nfor sliding movement on; suitable slides, not shown, attachedto the side walls of the-casing. Each of the drawers is provided with alock 174'and with a pair of pullhandles 176, to be describe in detailhereinafter, and each of the drawers if flanged at the front thereof, asshown in FIG. 2, which flange fits into mating flanges, not shown, atthe front of the chest structure.

Either or both of the pull handles as desired; may be constructed withlatching mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A shown in FIG. 2, thefront end of-the drawer is provided with a recessed cover, indicatedgenerally by reference numeral 178, the'recessof which is accessiblethrough an opening 179a in a cover plate 179. The latch mechanismcomprises a latch bolt 180 mounted for vertical sliding movement betweenthe outside surface 181' of the front of the drawer and a guide member182. The

latch bolt, which is a relatively flat member (FIG. 3), has an upperhorizontal portion 180a (FIG. 2), an intermediate handle or trigger bar180b and a' lower beveled portion 1800', which beveled portionpassesthrough a slot; in the bottom of the drawer and in a reinforcing pad 183welded to the bottom of the drawer, and the beveled portion 180a of the,bolt engages behind a flange 184a formed on the base 184 of the drawerhousing. A shoulder pin 186 is secured in openings in opposite legs of aU-shaped member 188, which member is welded to the frontof the drawer.As shown, the lower portion of the shoulder pin 186 passes through anopening in'the' upper horizontal portion 180a of the latch bolt, whichportion of the bolt rests upon the lower leg of U-shaped member 188,which leg is also providedtwith'an opening to receive the. lower portionof the'shoulder pin. A compression spring 189 surrounds the shoulder pinand is confined between the upper leg of the U-shapedmember 188 and theupper horizontal portion 180a of the latch bOlt;

The drawer is shown in latched'or secured positionin FIG.. 2. To unlatchthe drawer, an operator inserts the ends of his fingers into the opening179a in the cover plate 179 and presses upwards upon the trigger 18Gb ofthe latch bolt, whereupon the latchbolt is moved upward against thepressure of compressed spring 189 and the bottom -18tic-of the latchbolt is withdrawn from behind the flange 184a. The drawermay now bemoved forward relative to the chest, whereupon the inside of the draweris accessible throughthe open top thereof. To close and secure thedrawer it is only necessary to shove the drawer inward relative to thechest, whereupon the beveled portionlSfic at the bottom of the latchbolt rides upwards upon the flange 184a and against thepressure ofspring 189 until the bottom of the bolt clears the flangeand the 7spring returns the bolt to the latched position of FIG. 2.

Thus it is seen, in accordance with this inventiom-there' isprovided afurniture assembly particularly adapted for use aboard naval ships,wherein individual sections, such as, full length wardrobes,half lengthwardrobes,-file secvidual sections, as well as common topand -basemem-'hers, is provided with identical securing or fastening means 7 wherebyvarious individual sections may be readily and interchangeably assembledintoa unitary structure. In addition to the interchangeable featurestofthe several sections, the 4 individual :sections incorporate variousnovel features such as the clothes compressor, the bookshelf,

the dropleaf'and the locking mechanismgeach of whichcooperates'with'each other in providinga 'newand prac- V tical furnitureassembly. 7

11i; should be understood, of course,i.that the foregoing disclosurerelates to' only a preferred embodiment of the invention and' thatnumerous modifications or alterations unitary assembly. a

may be made therein without 'departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the. appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a unitary furniture assembly, a'plurality of individualinterchangeable sections forming separate stowage spaces, each of saidsections being formed of sheet metal and having generally rectangularfront, rear, side, top and bottom walls so dimensioned as to fall withinmultiples of a common denominator, each of said sections having top andbottom portions thereof adapted to fit one upon the other forinterchangeability ,of such sections in a manner that the bottom of onesection fits on top of another section and vice versa, and the top andbottom of each of the plurality of sections having like fastening meansthereon for holding the sections into a unitary assembly, said fasteningmeans including flange portions at the top and bottom of each of thesections so arranged that the bottom flange'of one section rests uponthe top flange of another section, and detent means for locking suchflanges in superimposed relation to thereby form a unitary column of thesections, said detent means including a pair of fixed detents spaced onone side of each of the sections with each such fixed detent having aportion thereof spaced from a flange portion of the section in a manneras to receive a flange portion of an adjacent section, and a pair oflongitudinally moveable detents spaced on an opposite side of each ofthe sections, each of said longitudinally moveable detents being mountedon one section in a manner as to be moved into and out of contact with aflange portion of an adjacent section to thereby clamp and unclampadjacent flange portions of the superimposed sections.

2. A unitary furniture assembly as set forth in claim 1 which includes aplurality of columns of sections having a common top or closure memberand a common base or foundation member wherein the common top and thecommon base each include fastening means thereon similar to andcooperating with the fastening means of the top and bottom sections ofthe columns, respectively, for uniting such columns into a unitaryassembly.

3. In a unitary furniture assembly, a plurality of individualinterchangeable sections forming separate stowage spaces, each of saidsections being formed of sheet metal and having generally rectangular,front, rear, side, top and bottom walls so dimensionedas to fall withinmultiples of a common denominator, each of said sections having top andbottom portions thereof adapted to fit one upon the other forinterchangeability of such section in a manner that the bottom of onesection fits on the top of another section and vice versa, and the topand bottom of each of the plurality of sections having like fasteningmeans thereon for holding such sections into aunitary assembly, saidfastening means on each of the sections including a setback portionatthe top of .each of the walls of the section, and a flange projectinginwardly at the bottom of each of the walls of the section in a mannerthat when superimposed the flange at the bottom of one section restsupon the base of the. setback portion of a lower section, and detentmeans, a pair of fixed detents spaced on one side of each of thesections with each such fixed detent having a portion'thereof spacedfromaflange portion of the section in a manner as to receive a flangeportion of an adjacent section, and a pair of longitudinally moveabledetents spaced on an opposite side of each 7 of the sections, each ofsaid longitudinally moveable detents being mounted on one section in amanner as to be moved into and out of .contact with a flange portion ofan adjacent section for clamping the setback and flanged portions ofsuperimposed sections into a unitary. columnar assembly. 7 I V V 4. Aunitary furniture assembly as set forth in1claim 3 which includes aplurality of columns of superimposed sections and means including acommon top and a common base for uniting the plurality ofcolumns into a5. A unitary furniture assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein thecommon top and the common base include fastening means thereoncorresponding, respectively, with the fastening means at the bottom andtop of the several sections of the assembly, so that the varioussections are interchangeable with each other Within the assembly andstill fit the common top and the common base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,052,794 Brooks Feb. 11, 1913 10 Anderson Oct. 12, Madsen Jan. 13,Bracken Sept. 13, Berren Sept. 16, Houser Apr. 11, Hermes Sept. 26,Regenhardt May 8, Weiskopf July 3, Little Dec. 8,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain of

